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My attention has been drawn to a Peacefmonline publication with the  headline; Any Expert Who Can Help With Fuel Should Call On The Ministry - Jinapor Cries Out.

Amongst others, the said story attributes several statements to me. Of particular significance is a statement in the following terms;

" The Deputy Minister for Energy and Petroleum, John Abu Jinapor has cautioned Ghanaians to desist from giving names to power problems as and when they arise".

The story further attributes to me, the following statement; " John Jinapor urged persons or experts in the Oil Industry to on getting the country crude oil from elsewhere that can fit into our system and the conditions under which we live, to call the attention of the Ministry for further discussions".

I wish to state without a shred of equivocation that, the above stated statements attributed to  me are  not correct.

For the records, the incontrovertible facts are as follows;

1. I granted an interview on Peace Fm's Kokrokoo morning show on 19th July 2016 with Kwame Sefa Kayi as the interviewer;

2. Mr. Sefa Kayi specifically asked me the reasons for the current power challenges confronting the country, to which I explained that same was as result of " Force Majure" in Nigeria thereby resulting in the delay in the supply of crude oil. He further quizzed why we have failed and/ or neglected to procure crude oil from other sources other than Nigeria. To which I responded , the technical advice I have from the VOLTA River Authority is to the effect that our Thermal Plants operate's on Brazz and Borny light crude. Thereafter, I suggested that the Ministry of Power will be happy to engage in discussions with any one who had a contrary expert opinion on the issue of crude oil and it's efficacy for our thermal plants. At no point in the interview did I " ....... Urge persons or experts in the oil industry to get the country oil from else where......". The unfortunate impression this obvious misrepresentation creates is that, the Ministry of Power has thrown it's hands in despair in the discharge of its mandate and resorted to soliciting for help from the populace.

3. Lastly, during the interview under reference I never CAUTIONED Ghanaians to "  desist from giving names to power problems as and when they arise". 

With the greatest respect and humility, I am of the firm conviction that most fair minded Ghanaians will attest to the fact that it is not my custom to utter the aforesaid distasteful comments or any other of like.

The peace Fm interview was and remains a public publication which can be assessed  and the facts in issue verified accordingly.

I wish to reiterate that, Government continues to be firmly committed to the resolution of the temporal  ongoing power challenges. In this regard, we will continue to adopt an all inclusive and consultative approach to dealing with the current challenge confronting the power sector.

I wisht to take this opportunity to express appreciation to consumers for their patience and  understanding.  
Signed: 

John Abdulai Jinapor
DEPUTY MINISTER FOR POWER 
Accra- 20th July, 2016.